Create a New Name For Windows Home Server

By on July 25, 2009 in Windows Home Server

The thing about platforms like Windows Home Server is that they’re really difficult to name. When WHS was first released, Microsoft had to differentiate it from the rest of their Windows Server products, which are more Enterprise-oriented as well as ensure that the average consumer didn’t confuse the product with Windows client operating systems they’d run on their home computer, like Windows XP, Windows Vista and so on.

Given the fact that WHS hasn’t set the consumer world alight in terms of sales in the past two years, Microsoft have opened up a new positioning for the product in the Small Business space – which is confusing for the small business owner, given that there’s already a product called Windows Small Business Server. But that’s for… erm… bigger small businesses, but businesses not big enough to use Windows Small Business Server Premium.

I think it’s time for the Microsoft brand police to get involved – they’re not known for brevity when it comes to branding, (evidence: one Windows Server line is named “Windows Server 2008 Standard Without Hyper-V“) but there’s a problem here that needs cleaning up. Let’s give them a bit of help.

So, your brief:

You have a server platform that works well in the home as well as for home-based or small-office based businesses with less than 10 users. It offers great back-up, media sharing and remote access features, but no email server.

You want to sell it to digital home enthusiasts who need it to be simple to use for backing up and sharing music, video, documents and photos as well as smaller business users who will back-up business critical files.

You want to ensure that potential purchasers clearly and quickly understand how it is different to other Windows Server products, whilst retaining flexibility to engage and sell to home and business users.

Create a new name for Windows Home Server.


Enjoyed this post? Share it.

If you enjoyed reading this post, then why not share it with your friends and followers?

About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
View all posts by Terry Walsh →

Sign Up for WGS Daily News

If you don't want to miss out on the latest news from We Got Served, why not subscribe to our daily digest? You'll get the day's headlines and a short summary of each news item delivered straight to your inbox each morning.

, , , ,

Newer Comments →
  • Badjames

    I can see where there would be some confusion as there are more server flavors than I can count on my hand and if Microsoft is looking to clear the confuse something like Windows Mini Sever may be an option as WHS is sever based but does not have the options of even SBS and WHS is basically a mini server.

  • Keith Williams

    Why not call it "SIMPLE SERVER". Having obtained the disks , installation and updating were to say the least -simple.

    • http://www.mulliganmedia.net Dom

      Beat me too it, I was gonna say "Microsoft Simple Server 2009"

  • RingaDing

    The name SERVER is what I think stops people from even looking at a WHS. Imagine a family down the local PC store. Little Johnny Says, look dad a Sever. Dad replies, What are we going to do with a Server.
    I'd go for somthing like Windows Hub

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jim_Clark Jim_Clark

      That is actually not a bad idea! Original, simple yet descriptive, brings a picture to mind.

      "Windows Hub: the perfect Home & SOHO solution to…"

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jim_Clark Jim_Clark

    The SOHO-X for Small Office Home Office Crossover. A term the auto industry has over-abused for years. But at least most people know what SOHO represents and most people identify what crossover represents. Or maybe the S\\HO-X., Small\\Home Office-Crossover. Just to add some "originality " ;) Or shorten it to SHOX. Which is short for "shocks", which could be short for "shocking", which…

    Altho, there is something to be said for sticking with "simple" names. I think MS figured that one out with Vista. For those who do not remember, there were those our there who were dissing Vista solely due to the name.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/SgtDuckyBoy SgtDuckyBoy

      I was thinking 'Windows SOHO' before I got to your posting, so I will agree with you. There is no mention of 'Server' in the title. It looks more like an application to the standard end user who MS wants to target.

  • jeff l.

    Well, the name should reflect the functions of the box. You are really emphasize the Office part.
    I think most private users mostly use WHS for it's Media Functions.
    Windows Media hub could be a name. The word "SERVER" must not be part of the name in my opinion. People don' t want servers.
    But there will be 2 versions, so… Will it be one for SOHO' s and one for Media in the home????
    Anyway there will be 2 names which should reflect the differences and the similarities at the same time.
    Not an easy task, there are people who do this for a job :-)
    But nice to see that we get asked for our opinions

  • diehard
  • michael

    How about streamlining the whole server line's branding, with the WHS as the most basic of the bunch. I'm thinking:

    WHS -> Windows Server Basic Edition/Windows Server Essentials
    Small Business Server -> Windows Server Small Business Edition
    Windows Server -> Windows Server Enterprise Edition/Windows Server Large Business Edition

    Sounds good to me. More synergy…haha. That is an office term isn't it…?
    Cheers,

  • http://www.jimfurie.co.uk jimfurie

    Soho – Server, What more do you need

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/pmdci pmdci

      Perhaps is not the best of names brand-wise, but SOHO is really what WHS is all about!

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SimonN SimonN

    Windows <Client Brand name > Server
    (so in this case Windows 7 Server. And previously Windows Vista/XP Server)
    & Windows Server Mini

    would be my two suggestions. But, I'm liking Soho Server & Simple Server

  • Matthew

    Windows SOHO Server. Or maybe even Windows SOHO, since server is generally thought to be a h/w product. Details are fleshed out in the positioning around it, which will be threaded by solution interest. Making add-on packs available (such as simple e-mail, advanced media, etc) allow product customization without too much bloat and helps keep the price point down.

    Simon's suggestion makes branding sense as well, provided there is always alignment between the client brand (and technology) and the server s/w. It also exposes the server to the risk, however small, that buyers get a certain impression of the client s/w that is unhelpful to server sales. Plus, it could turn off Mac users who can benefit from the product.

    "Hub" refers to a low end networking product, and would be too confusing. Backup server focuses too much on just one feature, and features don't make good brands.

  • diehard

    Here's a good article also on the subject. Windows Backup Server sounds good.

    http://smbnation.com/Publications/SMBPartnerCommu... Page 7 & 8

  • Mike

    Friday

    Could be My Man Friday –> Takes care of everything for you
    Joe Friday –> Very matter of fact and does what has to be done
    The day Friday –> All the work of the week is done

    I think the name Friday really encompases everything that they want people to think of when buying WHS.

  • Bill

    Windows Home or Office Host

  • http://www.intensedebate.com/people/dkduck dkduck

    I don´t see the problem in the name Windows Home Server, for me it is more like bad/missing branding from Microsoft.
    A new name will get more confusing than help.
    It could be interesting if Microsoft did a light "Exchange Server" Add-in (I know they don´t, since it may put a small bomb under SBS)

    Microsoft need to give WHS more attention for the private consumer, but with the release of Win7 and Server 2008 I don´t see when it proberly would/could come.

    Microsoft has announced the Win7 family pack, why not expand it?

    Suggestion:
    Family Pack with 3 Win7 licenses
    Family Pack Enhanced/Soho with 3 Win7 licenses and 1 license for Windows Home Server

    Regards
    Erik M Madsen

    • JohnBick

      I've got to say that I totally agree with DKDUCK Erik) on this. WHS is actually a very good name; the problem is with the marketing. AND his bundling idea REALLY gets that point across.

      I would allow bundles with up to 10 Win7 client licenses, possible calling them "Family/SOHO Packs"?

  • Dave

    I really like Windows Home Server… This might not promote the fact that it makes a good storage pool and backup solution for a small office, but anyone who knows anything about Windows OS already knows what WHS is and what it does. IMO its too late and also pointless to rename WHS.

  • __Miguel_

    Let's see… Right now, we have:

    - XP, Vista and 7 for the home crowd;
    - Server 2003 and Server 2008 for the server crowd;
    - Home Server for the NAS market;
    - SBS, HPC, Storage, etc. for a specific targets;

    - and Server 2008 Foundation, SBS without the extra software, only available through OEMs (duh).

    Since most home users hear the word "Server", "SOHO" and "Office" and shut down, and there are too many SKUs to keep track as it is, adding yet another one seems just silly.

    So:

    - Rename WHS to something "Home-friendly", Like Windows Home, or Windows Hub. That way consumers won't be startled by the word "Server". And make it CHEAP!

    - Let Foundation be the big SOHO/Prosumer server OS, and SBS to "real" businesses. It's cheap already (for OEMs), it just needs Drive Extender as an option, and some sort of remote MMC plug-in to work like the WHS Console. Then add a VERY lightweight mailserver and database server, and you're done. The rest can be taken care of by the plug-in community.

    Cheers.

    Miguel

  • rbg08

    Windows Network Center

    This name would be business/home nuetral and is basically how I view my WHS. If you don't know what a network is, you don't need a WHS.

    • rbg08

      nm, Vista already stole that idea. :p

  • GuustFlater

    Windows Server 7 (for the Vail based version)

  • ez223

    I've an idea. How about the actually sell the product in stores. Right now the only way to purchase the software is in an OEM format. I've also never seen a WHS pre-built system in a retail store. If sales have lagged maybe it's from a lack of effort to actually sell WHS through retail channels. Offer a retail version and put some WHS systems on store shelves. They'll probably sell a few more then.

    • ez223

      I forgot to mention, I like the name as it is. Windows Home Server.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/JohnBick JohnBick

      Agree on the retail product format as opposed to the OEM style. Beef it up by including copies of the technical briefs!

    • pjh

      I purchased my WHS software at Fry's in Indianapolis. Had my server up and running in a hour and a week later the hard drive on my wife's computer died! They also have the HP systems there.

  • Mach1

    This discussion is about a solution to a non-problem. The Windows Home Server name is just fine…..because that's what it is/

  • Paul G

    Totally agree with ez223's comment about actually SELLING the product in stores, in a retail boxed set. If you want to differentiate a product as powerful and yet as accessible as WHS, make it actually accessible. I think the reason it hasn't really taken the world by storm is because MS is preventing it from being known to more than the enthusiast crowd — and even that is non-commital, really.

    Sort of reminds me of OS/2 — OUCH! :-)

    In any case, I like either MS Simplified Server, or MS SOHO.

  • http://www.machinadei.com Stu

    Windows Home or Window Home/Office Essentials or Windows Media Server

  • guest

    MS Family Media Hub

  • John Shelton

    SOHO Server (Small Office and Home Office)

    Basic Business and Home Server

    10 or Below

    Fundamental

    It ain't broke, don't go fixin' the damn thing.

  • VorteX

    I was thinking Windows Home Business Server or Windows Home Office Server.

  • Anthony Grisdale

    I think that Windows SOHO Server wuld work globally and if there are to be 2 versions of the next version how about Windows SOHO Server – Media edition for the version aimed at the 'media' home. – How about a vote showing the favourite so far?

  • Texas-Hansen

    SOHO has the disadvantage of communicating that its purpose is business/office oriented…small office…home office….which will cause many media enthusiasts to overlook it. WHS is so much more than a server for a office environment, whether it be at home or in a small business.

    • Matthew

      I wonder how many media enthusiasts know what SOHO stands for. Certainly industry folks do, but this crowd already knows what the product is regardless of the name.

    • John Shelton

      "Windows Home Server" describes better than anything else the function of Windows Home Server, doesn't it?

  • http://www.cotes.cc trendless

    Windows Server SOHO

    Windows Server is the branding for all the server software Microsoft provides. SOHO covers WHS's different uses & capability. Small Office describes proper business implementations of it and Home Office describes when/where it is predominantly used in the home.

  • sforget

    I agree – Windows SOHO Server would be the best name for WHS if it is to be targeted at the SOHO audience as well as the home audience.

  • RingaDing

    I believe what ever its called microsoft need to advertise its functions and use on a much larger scale then what has been done upto now.
    Calling it Windows SOHO in no way desctibes WHS as offering Media streaming, backup, web access or file serving fuctions.
    If Vail is to be released as two edition, then perhaps a media edition and a Media/SOHO edition (A Premium and a Professional)
    Still believe that Server needs to be droped from it's name. I still have work friends asking what I need a Server for. So there is the problem Joe public believe servers are for bussiness and not for the home.

  • WHSFanboy

    SOHO Digital Server to keep it simple. Or if you want something exotic – Everest.

  • Mobeer

    To me, Soho is a place in London with somewhat questionable night life.

    How about Windows Server Express
    - using Express as used by SQL Server
    - keep Server for business interest

  • Patrick Hale

    why not…
    Windows Home Connect (easy to connect your systems to a centralized hub)
    Windows Home System (still whs)
    Windows Home Center

    then just rename for biz clients (Windows Business Center, etc)

  • http://www.tomwaller.co.uk FunkadelicRelic

    I'm with RingaDing. Hub should be in the name somewhere. I like the idea of a homehub, which is why my server hostname is HOMEHUB. Maybe something like Windows Home Hub or Media hub?

    All I can say is I hope Vail doesn't get delayed because of the politics of renaming and branding the new solution…

  • Billthebodger

    What's in a name? It doesn't matter what you call WHS but I'm happy with that anyway. The problem is getting it our there in the public marketplace. My local PC World staff just give you a blank stare as they've never heard of it. Computeractive Magazine mentioned it in a 3page back up article. What did they say? About three lines with the conclusion it was too expensive (based on an HP machine). They seemed to think it's just a big NAS device. It's not the name that's the issue it's the lack of basic marketing both to the public and, perhaps more importantly, to the industry.

  • Chris

    Windows Network……..

    Center
    Control
    Hub
    Manager
    Solution

  • Anathae

    Windows Network Center Edition?

  • reddragon72

    The Home/Office Companion
    Home and Business Connector
    Windows OS Extension
    Windows Family and Business Center
    Total Home Media Server
    Complete Family/Small Office Server
    Windows Family Share Server

  • Steven Pearson

    I like Windows Home Server as a name, but if it has to change then.

    Windows Home Essentials
    Windows Family
    Windows Life Server

    >although a good tag line would be "To Protect and Serve"

  • Mitchell Hennessy

    I think part of the issue is that there isn't any one name that will encompass EVERYTHING WHS software can do or is capable of (especially given the extensibility of Add-Ins), even "Home Server" is somewhat of a misnomer as it does not imply the inherent media functions or the website access (RDP Proxy anyone?), though I do think anything with the word "Hub" in it might come the closest (akin to the Linksys Media Hubs). I think more effort should be put into advertising/marketing rather than naming, as, as some have already mentioned, it's already "too late" to rename it without causing further confusion in an already near-convoluted naming schemes already present in Microsoft's current server software.

    I agree with those that say the naming thing is probably already a "lost cause", as any name that would properly convey what it's capable of, would probably also turn off most potential users by virtue of how long it'd be.

  • http://usingwindowshomeserver.com Andrew Edney

    I agree with those who have said that the name doesnt really matter – its more about getting the message out there with what it does and that it is actually available!

    I think it will always have SERVER in the title because it falls within the server division of Microsoft, and at the end of the day it is actually a server, for the home, hence HOME SERVER :-)

    And unless you want a really really long name for the product I think something short and sweet, like Windows Home Server, or WHS as everyone calls it is fine. Could you imagine the Office team changing the name of Office 2010 to something like "Microsoft set of applications that does some word processing, some spreadsheets, is good for presentations, can do emails if you want, can do small databases and make nice wire diagrams, along with some other stuff 2010". :-)

    My point is that you are never going to sum up this product easily, so why change it? If you change the name people will get confused, its happened before. Again, I use Office as the example – Office 97, XP, 2003 etc.

  • Al

    Windows Small Network Server

  • Al Z.

    Or capatilize on the Windows 7 Marketing and call it "Windows 7 Server".

  • http://ggreig.livejournal.com/ Gavin Greig

    I think daku might be onto something, but I'm not keen on sBox. How about HomeBox?

    Microsoft Concierge?
    Microsoft HomeMaker?

    I toyed with Butler, Valet, Majordomo and Jeeves, but the two above seemed most plausible for an international audience.

  • Shawn

    Easy, Windows Server Lite.

  • http://www.intensedebate.com/people/daku97 daku97

    Microsoft already has a home product called xBox. Why not an sBox. S=Server. The word server is not mentioned in the title so it would not scare away the none technical users it’s supposed to cater to. As far as the user is concerned it’s a Box, it’s not technical. The convention could also be used for a product line aimed at home users for various Microsoft home packages. The name could become recognizable and remarkable that would point back to Microsoft.

  • Simon

    Windows 7 Server is actually Windows Server 2008 R2. The facts are these:

    1. It has to use the Windows brand name;
    2. It is designed for the home;
    3. It is a server.

    Windows Home Server is just fine as a name. If people want to use it in small companies that run a workgroup network then fine let them. if they want a domain then use Small Business Server. Also what is all the fuss about adding a mail server. Why? It's really not needed and would just add to the confusion.

    As has been stated on this site many times, the best thing Microsoft can do is:
    1. Get it into stores (the Microsoft own stores may help in this respect)
    2. Add Media Center functionality to it to increase the value proposition so that people:
    a) "Get it"
    b) Buy it for the cool media features and somewhat reluctantly use it to do the boring back-up stuff.

  • colin campbell

    How about

    NetStream or StreamNET

  • danedaniel

    Windows Media & Backup Server
    or Windows Central
    with the slogan: the server for your media and important backups

  • Jacques

    Windows Home MaÎtre like in maître D in hôtel .
    or Windows homeser or Windows Home Servant
    or Windows Home Keeper or Guard

Newer Comments →